10 questions with Middagh Goodwin

Ska, punk, death-metal, screamo and hip-hop now are an official part of "the arts" in Stockton.

Tony Sauro

Ska, punk, death-metal, screamo and hip-hop now are an official part of "the arts" in Stockton.

"I call it the 'Jethro Tull Award,' " Middagh Goodwin said.

Goodwin, who's been promoting teen-oriented concerts - "hundreds and hundreds of shows and thousands and thousands of bands" - since 1995 is getting formal recognition from the establishment.

Goodwin, 45, receives a newly established Stockton Arts Commission award for "outstanding achievement in the business of the arts" on Saturday.

He's already been recognized - by the Modesto Area Music Awards (MAMAs) and KCRA - for his management of Stockton's Plea for Peace Center and Beat Happy Productions. He's nominated for two MAMAs this year.

"It's nice to be recognized," said Goodwin, whose nonprofit, nonalcoholic venue concludes its fourth year on Dec. 12 (his 46th birthday). "Maybe with the recognition, we'll get a little more support."

Goodwin got some in 2011. He's using a $4,000 arts commission grant to capture Stockton's musical diversity on CD. The project is near completion.

Originally from Orange, Goodwin grew up in Modesto, graduating from Downey High School and Modesto Junior College.

In 1995, he staged his first ska-punk show in Stockton - Janitors Against Apartheid, Stinkhouse, Buss Bunny, the Rudiments and Link 80 at the American Legion Hall.

He produced shows at pizza parlors, coffee shops, the Blackwater Cafe, rental halls, bookstores, the Seifert Center. Anywhere he could.

He also plays brass and woodwinds in his own noise-rock band (Novacain).

Since he and Mike Park - of Asian Man Records, a punk-rock bastion - opened Plea for Peace, he's averaged 15 shows a month - at $5 to $15 - sold 6,000 venue "memberships" ($2 each) and developed a dependable relationship with bands.

With a capacity of 300, Goodwin turned people away from a November 2011 Alkaline Trio show, his biggest. So far.

"If it wasn't for the all pre-planning, we wouldn't have survived," Goodwin said. "We do have stretches that are just dismal."

He's pleased he did. The "Jethro Tull Award" - that's the 45-year British rock band - acknowledges that: "Hopefully, I'm having a winning streak. My mom would be proud."

Question: If you could have any job, what would it be?

Answer: If it wasn't president of the United States, I'd want to continue doing something involving music and the arts. But it would be nice to get paid for it.

Q: When you need to relax, what do you listen to?

A: I'll usually watch a movie or listen to talk radio. I hear so much music on a regular basis I need something else to wind down with.

Q: What musician would you want to hang out with?

A: Elvis Costello. It would be great to just talk and get some insight. He's a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer who's been on "The Simpsons." It would be interesting.

Q: What's your favorite book?

A: Something by William Gibson. Like Jules Verne, he seemed to have insights into things that have come true. He created a new genre with his cyber-punk short stories and novels.

Q: If you could book any band in the world at Plea for Peace, which would it be?

A: It would be great to have an Operation Ivy reunion, especially since Plea for Peace got its name from them. Also Pavement or Chris Isaak. It would be great to have one of Stockton's own play an intimate show at Plea for Peace.

Q: What's the best show you've ever seen?

A: Joe Jackson doing the entire "Heaven and Hell" album at (San Francisco's) Bimbo's 365 in 1997. No Doubt and the Deftones at Stockton Rocks in 1992. The Clash in 1982. Fishbone's all-ska revue at the Trocadero in 1995. Truly an amazing show.

Q: If you could be any animal, what would it be?

A: Paul McCartney said a koala bear because all they do is sleep and eat eucalyptus leaves (a psychedelic drug to them). I'd say an eagle. Majestic, protected and free.

Q: What's the funniest joke you've ever heard?

A: I did stand-up in the '80s. Here's one I came up with: "Knock, knock. Who's there? Doctor. Ah, ah." For those who got this, I'm sure it's hilarious.

Q: What music do you enjoy that would surprise people?

A: I'm a big fan of a well-crafted pop song. I love a good hook. However, I'm not a huge fan of certain (punk) bands like the Misfits or NOFX.

Q: What country would you most like to visit?

A: Japan, because I would be a god there. Seriously, I love the food and culture. It would be a fantastic experience.